Stock strings are usually bad, and I would change them as soon as possible.... but I don't know how to tell when it is time to change strings...

It really depends on how much you play your guitar. I alternate between acoustic and electric gigs on weekends. Strings usually last me about 2 weeks. I am very hard on my strings and nothing sound better than new strings. I will play the new strings on Friday and Saturday and then practice on them the following week.

ok thanks. I did not know if there was some tell tale signs that strings were bad, or I should say going bad. If they sound horrible obviously I should change them. I was just curious basically when you guys did and if I should change the strings that came on the guitar. Not that I would even know what kind of strings I would want to put on them. I guess I will just stick with the gauge that came with the guitar.

well strings come in different sizes(gauges). your's probably came with 10 gauge. you may want to try 9 gauge as a hell of a lot of players use them such as eddie V, satriani,vai,etc...and they are much easier to bend. if your strings are black and rusty feeling to the touch,then you better believe it's time for a change. and new string DO sound really good. you'll notiice the difference right away.

when i play alot i change em every 2 weeks, if i play less they last bit longer usually about 6 weeks, but if you live in a high humidity area then you will notice the strings becoming caroded(sp?), then they need to be changed..

I don't think beginners should worry about changing strings often (except when one breakes).
If you are not a beginner and you are recording or performing then you should take every measure to produce the best quality sound to include fresh strings on a frequent/regular basis. But just for practice and learning I think you should go for as much mileage as possible.

as a begginer you won't need to change them until when you strum them they go out of tune easily, this is when you absolutely need to switch, change as a rule like every 2 months, when you get fresh strings they will go out tune very often because they aren;t stretched yet but just tune everytime you pick up your guitar and then you will start getting beautiful sound from them

now that i'm not doing shows, i don't change them very often. but when i was gigging, i changed them at least once every other week. nothing worst than breaking a string ..... during a song ...... with a guitar equipped with a floyd!